40 S&W Carbine Ammunition
The 40 Smith & Wesson cartridge is a pistol cartridge, but there are a number of carbines chambered for 40 S&W. Due to the longer barrel, the velocities achieved in a carbine are typically very different from than those advertised by the ammunition manufacturer or handloading data. This page will attempt to document over time the performance of various cartridges and powders in a carbine.
For the sake of our discussion, we will consider a carbine to be a firearm with a barrel between sixteen and eighteen inches. Really, the principles apply to any rifle length barrel. There are a few carbines offered in 40 S&W, including the Hi-Point 40 S&W Carbine, the Beretta Cx4 Storm, the Ruger PC4, and the Kel-Tec SUB-2000.
We're only doing this for 40 S&W. There is actually load data out there for 9mm and 357 Magnum and others specifically intended for rifles. However, since 40 S&W carbines are a fairly new entry to the market, no one has thought to do this for 40 S&W. However, the information here should be helpful to reloaders of other pistol cartridges to be used in rifles.
Why it Matters
Barrel length brings two factors into play that control velocity of any bullet, one working to improve velocity, and the other to decrease it. When gunpowder burns, it creates expanding gasses which apply pressure to the bullet. This pressure continues during the bullet's entire trip down the barrel, and ideally this causes acceleration of the bullet down the entire barrel. However, it takes a lot of force to push a bullet down the barrel, let alone to accelerate it. So if the pressure does not remain high, the bullet can actually slow down quite a bit in the barrel.
Pistol ammunition is designed for short barrels, so powders are selected that burn fast, applying pressure quickly but being mostly finished burning by the time the bullet leaves the muzzle. Slower burning powders cause bad muzzle flash in a short barrel. However, in a longer barrel, a slower burning powder will be better of it can provide a pressure curve that yields a larger overall acceleration force.
About the Tests
The experiments that we will be conducting will compare various pistol loads and various handloads in both a short and long barrel. We will be using my brother's Hi-Point carbine and my Glock 22 to perform the tests. I should point out that we will not be testing lead bullets, because I have no intention of firing unjacketed bullets through my Glock. However, the information produced will still be valuable to cast bullet shooters, as it shows the effect of various powders with various bullet weights.
For the sake of conciseness, I will be listing average velocities only. Generally, we will fire five or ten rounds of a given load and average the measurements, possibly discarding an obviously strange reading. In addition to our measurements, we will list the "expected" velocity. In the case of factory ammunition, this is the advertised muzzle velocity. For hand loads, this is the velocity given with the data.
All velocities are listed in feet per second, and all bullet weights and powder charges are listed in grains.
Powders to Test
I suspect that slower burning powders will perform better in carbines. I want to test N350, HERC 2400, ACCUR #9, and Blue Dot.
Factory Ammunition
| Cartridge | Expected Velocity |
4.5" Avg Velocity | 17.5" Avg Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester 180 gr. FMJ | |||
| Federal Premium 180 gr. Hydra-Shok JHP | 1000 | 1041 |
Hand Loads
This table is organized by powder and bullet weight. I don't really know what order to put powders. In the future, I may be able to put them in order of which ones provide the best boost of velocities for longer barrels.
PLEASE NOTE: I am not offering this up as load data. In fact, I know that some of this exceeds data supplied by the manufacturer. Always consult manufacturer's data and always utilize all safety precautions when loading ammunition. I will not be responsible if you destroy your gun or your face.
| Powder | Bullet Weight | Powder Charge |
Bullet | Expected Velocity |
4.5" Avg Velocity | 17.5" Avg Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueDot | 135 | 12.0 | Nosler JHP | 1320 | 1610 | |
| BlueDot | 180 | 8.0 | Hornady XTP | 977 | 1067 | |
| VV 3N37 | 155 | 8.5 | Rainier Plated FP | 1293 | 1411 | |
| VV 3N37 | 165 | 7.9 | Remington Golden Saber JHP | 1226 | 1252 | |
| VV N105 | 200 | 7.5 | Hornady FMJ | 1053-1069 | 946 | |
| VV N105 | 200 | 8.0 | Hornady FMJ | 1132 | 995 | |
| VV N105 | 200 | 7.5 | Rainier Plated RNFP | 1098 | 1053-1069 |